I'm trying to find some info on the lens that came attached to a
Rochester View 8x10 camera.

The lens is mounted in a polished brass barrel, which is marked:

"Special Rapid-Rectilinear" 8 x 10
Ralph J. Golsen
Chicago
4373

The lens is set on a Bausch & Lomb "Unicum" shutter, with U.S. stops.

I am wondering if Ralph J. Golsen was actually the lens's manufacturer, or perhaps a dealer ?

The camera itself appears to be from 1890 - 1900

Would appreciate any info...

Thanks !

Luddite Frank

:)

rrankin

03-06-2008, 01:06 AM

Golsen was a Chicago company which sold re-labelled lenses (and, apparently a LOT of camera equipment). They did not manufacture as far as I have been able to find out - they were a retailer. I have a casket set they sold in the 1930's and got an ad for a similar set courtesy of the Chicago Public Library help desk from some magazine. They were unable to come up with much generic info on the company, though.

If you find out more, there are probably quite a few of us who would be interested as owners of Golsen equipment.